Fiber spinning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A HOLLOW ROTARY SPINNING CHAMBER IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT A PREDETERMINED AXIS INTERSECTING AN OPEN SITE OF THE SPINNING CHAMBER NORMAL TO THE GENERAL PLANE OF THE OPEN SIDE. THE SPINNING CHAMBER HAS AN INNER ANNULAR SURFACE WHICH SURROUNDS THE OPEN SIDE CONCENTRIC WITH THE AXIS OF ROTATION WHICH FIRST DIVERGES AND THEREUPON CONVERGES IN DIRECTION INWARDLY AWAY FROM THE OPEN SIDE. A SEPARATING ROLLER IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION PROXIMAL TO THE OPEN SIDE AND RECEIVES FIBROUS SLIVER WHICH IS SEPARATES INTO THE INDIVIDUAL FIBERS THEREOF. A PASSAGE CONNECTS THE SEPARATING ROLLER WITH THE OPEN SIDE OF THE SPINNING CHAMBER AND HAS AN OUTLET LOCATED AT THIS OPEN SIDE, FIBERS PASSING FRM THE SEPARATING ROLLER THROUGH THE   PASSAGE AND ISSUING FROM THE OUTLET. APERTURE MEANS IN THE SPINNING CHAMBER COMMUNICATES WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF SO AS TO CREATE IN THE INTERIOR SUCTION WHEN THE SPINNING CHAMBER IS ROTATED. THEREBY A STREAM OF AIR IS DRAWN THROUGH THE PASSAGE, CARRYING ALONG THE FIBERS INTO THE SPINNING CHAMBER. DIRECTING MEANS IS PROVIDED FOR DIRECTING THE STREAM OF AIR WITH THE FIBERS CARRIED THEREBY IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE FIBERS ARE DEPOSITED ON THE INNER ANNULAR SURFACE IN A REGION OF THE LATTER WHICH IS INWARDLY PROXIMAL TO THE OPEN SIDE OF THE SPINNING CHAMBER.

Dec. 7, 1971 v, RQHLENA ETAL FIBER SPINNING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15, 1969 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hollow rotary spinning chamber is mounted for rotation about a predetermined axis intersecting an open side of the spinning chamber normal to the general plane of the open side. The spinning chamber has an inner annular surface which surrounds the open side concentric with the axis of rotation which first diverges and thereupon converges in direction inwardly away from the open side. A separating roller is mounted for rotation proximal to the open side and receives fibrous sliver which it separates into the individual fibers thereof. A passage connects the separating roller with the open side of the spinning chamber and has an outlet located at this open side, fibers passing from the separating roller through the passage and issuing from the outlet. Aperture means in the spinning chamber communicates with the interior thereof so as to create in the interior suction when the spinning chamber is rotated. Thereby a stream of air is drawn through the passage, carrying along the fibers into the spinning chamber. Directing means is provided for directing the stream of air with the fibers carried thereby in such a manner that the fibers are deposited on the inner annular surface in a region of the latter which is inwardly proximal to the open side of the spinning chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to fiber spinning apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for spindleless spinning of fibers.

Still more particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for continuous spindleless spinning of textile fibers which includes a separating roller receiving fibrous sliver and separating the same into its individual fibers, a rapidly rotating rotary spinning chamber of substantially cup-shaped configuration provided with apertures for evacuating air to thereby create in the interior of the spinning chamber a suction, and a connecting channel connecting the separating roller with the interior of the spinning chamber, as well as means for preventing the deposition of newly entering fiberscoming from the channel-on the yarn which is being formed and thereupon being withdrawn from the spinning chamber.

Devices of this type are already known. For instance, German Patent No. 1,011,790 teaches such a device and reference may be had to this patent for background information. In the patent a circular flange is provided formed with needles, which serves as the fiber collecting area. Fibers are prevented from becoming deposited on the yarn being withdrawn from the interior of the spinning chamber, and this is accomplished -by locating the inlet channel for the fibers closely under the surface of the circular fiange provided with the needles, and closely surrounding it with the casing housing the separating roller, so that the yarn may be fed along this casing without any possibility for the fibers to contact the yarn. The separating roller of this device is biased to the axis of the spinning chamber.

The known apparatus of the general type here under discussion suffers from various disadvantages. Thus, if for instance a deflecting means provided with needles is used for collecting the fibers for formation into a yarn, it is clear that the yarn must subsequently be again released from the needle with the result that it undergoes at least local lengthening. Evidently, this results in uneven yarn quality. Furthermore, devices using a needled circular flange as the collecting means for the fibers are known to be provided with air outlets which serve to evacuate air from the interior of the rotary spinning chamber and to produce the suction which draws the fibers in through the channel connected with the separating roller. Because the air outlets are arranged in this manner not all fibers coming in from the channel may be oriented and deposited in parallelism with the axis of the spinning chamber, and some of the incoming fibers are invariably oriented crosswise with the result that they of course project loosely from the yarn being formed Attempts to overcome this latter problem have been made but they have not been successful and have themselves frequently suffered from certain additional disadvantages, for instance by causing bunching of tufts of fibers with the resulting formation of clumps or wadded fiber areas in the yarn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to improve on the prior art devices.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for continuous spindleless spinning of textile fibers which is not possessed of these disadvantages.

A further object of the invention is to assure deposition of the incoming fibers on the fiber deposition and collecting surface of the rotary spinning chamber so that they become deposited individually and acquire the desired orientation before reaching the yarn-forming surface where the fibers are formed into the yarn.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of our invention resides, in an apparatus for continuous spindleless spinning of textile fibers, in providing a hollow rotary spinning chamber having an open side and being rotatable about a predetermined axis, the spinning chamber comprising an inner annular surface surrounding the open side concentric with the predetermined axis and first diverging and thereupon converging in the direction inwardly of the open side. Aperture means is provided in the spinning chamber communicating with the interior thereof for creating suction in the latter in response to rotation of the spinning chamber. A separating roller is mounted for rotation proximal to the open side and operative for receiving fibrous sliver and for separating the fibers of the same. Passage means has an inlet which receives separated fibers from the separating roller, and an outlet which communicates with the open side so that the separated fibers are drawn by suction through the passage means to the outlet. Directing means is provided for directing a stream of gaseous fluid transversely of the outlet in such a manner as to effect deposition of fibers issuing from the outlet onto the annular surface in a region of the same which is inwardly proximal to the open side of the rotary spinning chamber.

The apertures are provided in the spinning chamber remote from the open side so that the inner annular surface that is the portion thereof serving as a sliver surface for the deposited fibers and the portion thereof serving as a collecting surface on which the deposited fibers are collected and formed into a yarn, is free from such apertures. Furthermore, no needles are provided on this inner annular surface. In accordance with the invention fibers are deposited on the convergent portion of the inner annular surface in a region of the same which is inwardly proximal to the inside of the rotary spinning chamber, and from there move to the junction between the convergent and divergent portions of the inner annular surface, this junction being the area Where the fibers are collected to be formed into a yarn. 'Such movement takes place under the influence of centrifugal forces resulting from rotation of the spinning chamber. During such movement the fibers dress exactly in planes which are perpendicular to the axis of the spinning chamber, under the influence of air streaming through the spinning chamber. The fibers have the least drag against the streaming air only when lying exactly in planes perpendicular to the axis of the spinning chamber and it is understandable that when the spinning chamber rotates at a high number of revolutions, the fibers tend to assume the position of minimum resistance to the air stream when rolling and slipping on the inner annular surface toward the junction of the con vergent and divergent portions thereof. This minimal drag position at the same time is the direction of the draw-off of yarn which forms at the junction of the two surface portions. Consequently, by shifting and rolling on the inner annular surface the fibers assume precisely the required position for the spun yarn.

However, in order to assure that this automatic position of the fibers takes place in the desired manner, it is necessary that all fibers are deposited properly on the inner annular surface, and that they be deposited individually and not in tufts or bunches. Evidently, only singly deposited fibers can roll and appropriately shift on the inner annular surface during movement to the junction between the convergent and divergent portions thereof, and such rolling and shifting movements are an indispensable condition for the formation of high quality yarn.

This indispensable condition is met by the provision of directing means according to the present invention, which serves to direct the stream of gaseous fiuid-that is usually the aspirated airwhich is drawn through the passage means and carries the fibers along from the separating roller to the interior of the spinning chamber, in such a manner that the stream of air and fibers is so deflected that the fibers become deposited on the inner annular surface in the region of the same inwardly proximal to the open side of the spinning chamber, whereupon the fibers automatically straighten out and move-predominantly by rolling movementto the junction between the convergent and divergent portions of the inner annular surface.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional elevation illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the directing means employed in the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a partly sectioned fragmentary illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the location of the directing means with reference to other components of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail it will be seen that reference numeral 1 identifies diagrammatically a fibrous sliver which is supplied in sultable manner to a feed roller 2 which rotates in a cavity C1 of a housing or wall means WM about the axis of rotation 2'. The feed roller 2 supplies the sliver to a separating or carding roller 2a which rotates in a cavity C2 about an axis of rotation 2a. The circumference of the separating roller 2a is provided with separating needles 3. These components, and their relationship with reference to one another, are already known. Contact of the sliver 1 with the needles 3 of the separating roller 2a results in separation of the fibers of the sliver 1, and the individual fibers are then carried along by the rotating separating roller 2a until they enter the passage means 6 provided in the wall means WM. The passage means 6 has an outlet which communicates with the open side of a rotary spinning chamber 5 which is mounted for rotation about an axis *10 extending normal to the general plane of the open side of the spinning chamber 5. The interior of the spinning chamber 5 is identified with reference numeral 4 and the outlet of the passage means 6 communicates with the interior 4. The spinning chamber 4 is provided with a plurality of air evacuation apertures 7 arranged remote from the open side as shown in FIG. 1, and in response to rapid rotation of the spinning chamber 5 about the axis 10 air is evacuated from the interior 4 of the spinning chamber through the apertures 7, thereby creating a suction effect in the interior 4 and serving to draw fibers through the passage means 6, together with a stream of air.

During rotation of the spinning chamber 5 with the axis '10, the air in the interior 4 of the spinning chamber 5 moves in a spiral path from the outlet of the passage means 6 through the interior 4 and out of the apertures 7. The individual fibers issuing from the outlet of the passage means 6 are carried along by this spirally moving airstream and pressed against the inner circumferential or slip surface 8 bounding the open side of the chamber 5, under the influence of centrifugal force.

In accordance with the present invention, and in order to assure contact of the fibers exclusively with the region 8a of the surface 8 inwardly proximal to the open side of the spinning chamber 5, we provide directing means which in the illustrated embodiment is in form of a member 9 illustrated in FIG. 2 and composed of a plurality of substantially fan-shaped air guide fins or ribs 9. It will be seen (compare FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) that the fins 9a extend radially from a hub 9b of the member 9 and are slightly twisted in themselves. The member 9' is mounted stationarily with reference to the spinning chamber 5 (see FIG. 3) and so located inwardly of the open side of the spinning chamber 5 (see FIG. 1) that the air stream and fibers issuing from the outlet of the passage means 6 must pass over the underside of the fins 9a. This assures that the airstream and the fibers carried along thereby is deflected within relatively narrow angle limits transversely of the outlet of the channel of the passage means 6, capable of performing a substantially spiral movement but incapable of moving upwardly into the interior of the spinning chamber 5. Instead, the air stream is in effect deflected downwardly towards the open side and is forced to deposit the fibers which it carries on the region 8a of the surface 8 inwardly adjacent the open side of the spinning chamber 5. So deposited, the individual fibers are capable of orienting themselves in planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spinning chamber 5, and to move by rolling or shifting movement to the juncture 11 between the convergent and divergent portions of the inner annular surface 8, at which juncture 11 they form into the yarn 12 which is withdrawn centrally-through an opening in the hub of the member 9from the spinning chamber 5 by the drawing rollers DR to be subsequently wound into a package P.

It will be appreciated that the purpose of the member 9 is to provide in effect a steaming air cushion which prevents the fibers issuing from the outlet of the pas sage means 6 from contacting the undersurfaces of the fins9a, and which results in their defiection onto the region 8a of the surface 8. Thus, the fibers cannot become deposited or even come into contact with the fins 9a and the formation of fiber tufts or bundles is avoided. Furthermore, the fibers are thus effectively prevented from moving directly to the juncture 11 and there becoming deposited on the yarn 12 which is being formed.

FIGS. 1 3 shows that the fins 9a all extend radially, from the central hub, and that the member 9 is centrally mounted. This assures a simple construction. However, other possibilities exist and will offer themselves to those skilled in the art. It is also desirable that the fins 9a project over the passage means 6 by between substantially 20 and 40. Further covering of the passage means 6 is not generally necessary, and lesser covering would cause irregular streaming conditions.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of construction differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for continuous spindleless spinning of textile fibers, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for continuous spindleless spinning of textile fibers, a combination comprising a hollow rotary spinning chamber having an open side and being rotatable about a predetermined axis, said spinning chamber comprising an inner annular surface surrounding said open side concentric with said predetermined axis and first diverging and thereupon converging in a direction inwardly of said open side; aperture means in said spinning chamber communicating with the interior thereof remote from said open side for creating suction in the latter in response to rotation of said spinning chamber; a separating roller mounted for rotation proximal to said open side and operative for receiving fibrous sliver and for separating the fibers of the same; passage means having an inlet receiving separated fibers from said separating roller, and an outlet communicating with said open side so that the separated fibers are drawn by suction through said passage means to said outlet; and directing means having an interrupted surface spaced from and facing said outlet extending transversely thereof, said interrupted surface being operative for directing a stream of gaseous fluid transversely of said outlet in such a manner as to effect movement of fibers issuing from said outlet in said stream and out of contact with said interrupted surface towards and onto said inner annular surface in a region of the same which is inwardly proximal to said open side.

2. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said outlet is located eccentrically with reference to said predetermined axis of rotation.

3. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said directing means comprises a directing member having a plurality of guide fins.

4. in an apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said directing member is stationary with reference to said spinning chamber and said passage means.

5. In an apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said guide fins are of substantially fanshaped outline.

6. In an apparatus as defined in claim 4, said guide fins being of substantially fan-shaped outline, and wherein said directing member is coaxial with said predetermined axis and said guide fins extend radially of the latter.

7. In an apparatus as defined in claim 6, said directing member being located inwardly of said open side, and said guide fins each having a surface portion together constituting said surface facing towards said outlet of said passage means, and wherein said stream of gaseous fluid is aspirated through said passage means as a result of suction in said spinning chamber and issues from said outlet.

8. In an apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide fins project laterally beyond both sides of said outlet of said passage means.

9. In an apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide fins project laterally beyond both sides of said outlet of said passage means by a distance corresponding at least to 20 and at most to 40.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,360,917 1/1968 Kubovy et al 5758.95 3,368,340 2/1968 Barsukov et a1. 57--58.89 3,411,283 11/1968 Isomura 5758.89

JOHN PETRAKES, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5758.95 

